Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes (1974) - full transcript

[chatter]

[music playing]

I can't-- believe

me, I wouldn't do

this for anybody else but you.

Who can eat at this time

of the morning anyway?

Not even for my own mother.

I appreciate it, Tony.

You like my place thought, huh?

The only good Italian

restaurant in town.

You know, you haven't been

there in a long time, Hakim.

See?

We've redecorated, expanded.

You're making more money.

No, less, really.

You know, the narcotics

businesses is in the slump.

Various factors.

Competition.

But I expect to make

great deal of money soon.

From numbers?

It's the only

convenient source, Hakim,

how would I do otherwise?

After all, we grew up together,

went to the same school.

But Chicago calls the shots

for me now, you know that.

I need the southwest side.

Like I told you before,

you can keep prostitution.

Later on, I'll cut you

in on the hard stuff.

You just give me the numbers.

Tony, I've told you before.

I don't go that way.

Drugs is your thing, you and

Moma Lottie are into that.

Numbers is my

business, and I intend

to be left alone to do it.

Now that's all I

can here to say.

Why don't you understand

that you're powerless?

You're losing grip, Hakeem.

You don't seem to understand

that you just can't

do anything you want anymore.

You know I know

every movie you make.

Hey you don't pay people

enough, or treat them right.

Something.

I've known your exact

schedule for weeks

now, that you worked

out of the pool room

on Main Street

right this minute.

I know who to get rid

of to take care of that.

I don't think you'll do know.

Anyway, it doesn't

make any difference.

The contract is out

on you, ole boy,

and the order came through

Chicago, not from me.

Understand?

I understand Tony.

But call them and get them to

give me 30 days to liquidate.

The horse is out.

I don't go that way.

All right.

But remember what I said.

One of your people who works

for me and I know everything you

do.

You play games with me

and you'll be dead, Pasha.

I told you, I understand.

Step outside with

me for a minute,

there's something I want to say.

He can hear anything I can.

Tony.

You first me relieved

me of my gun.

This is your turf, who

could be more safe?

Don't worry about it.

She can use your

friend for a minute.

Anyway, who's afraid

of a contract now?

My, my, what a big

girl we have here.

I never had a chocolate

milkshake before.

Chocolate won't break you out.

That's pretty.

[laughter]

What the hell's happened?

I don't know.

I'll speak to Serene.

Damn, I forgot to pick up my

gun from Tony's bodyguard.

I took care of the bodyguard.

Tony said there's a

rat in our organization.

You check it out, but

I'll take care of it, OK?

OK

This is an election

year Harvey.

If I'm going to be elected mayor

again in '56 for another term,

I've got to have an issue

that I can deal with now.

The decent citizens

in this community

are getting sick and tired of

all the killing and the crime

in the streets.

So, let's give them

a target that they

can focus their anger onto.

John, let me put in a word.

Really, this numbers thing

does look like a good shot.

And you got a ready made

villain here, this Pasha person,

you see?

The police chief is on

line four, Mr. Jabar.

Good ole Harvey, dear love.

The weakest of my

enemies calls me.

Drink it, drink it.

Moma Lottie makes it especially

for me from the real herb.

Wait Nathan.

You can't go in there,

Mr. Jabar is busy.

Nathan!

Nathan, you can't go in--

It's all right,

girl, it's all right.

I had 369, and DuDitry told me

you wasn't going to pay me off.

You've seen DuDirty?

He told you I wouldn't pay?

I paid DuDirty for

your hit yesterday.

I always pay.

Although it's not often

somebody hits me for $7,000.

Sit down.

I don't want to

sit, I want my money.

DuDirty will be here in a few

minutes to make his deadline.

In the meantime, I'm

going to sell you a house.

Go on, sit down.

You've got a little brother

or son, Billy Jones?

Yeah, my brother.

I've seen him go into

the Conwell's every day.

He's a hip little cat.

I think he's got some kind

of a hustle going on already.

What's your name?

Nathan.

Nathan Jones.

Little Billy.

He sure eats a lot

of potato chips.

[horn]

[chatter]

I'm in the chips, man,

DuDirty's in the chips.

Good afternoon, Pasha.

Have you seen my new car?

You remember Serene, don't you?

Hi.

And Nathan Jones, of course.

DuDirty nigger!

Listen man, listen!

You didn't cut

that women, nigger.

That's old timer shit.

I haven't got to

that yet, but I'm

still talking about trying to

glop upside your head, nigger.

But I got your money,

man, I got your money!

Well where is my money?

Look, my number came in

day before yesterday.

Do I have to turn

you upside down--

I got some of your money,

I got some of your money.

I'm going to kill

you, child nigger.

What good is his life

when it's money you want?

What are going to do

for Nathan, DuDirty?

I bought a car, and

I got $3,000 left.

You want the car?

No.

Well--

You're welcome to

look at the wheels.

Now give me the keys, DuDirty.

Now where's my money?

It's in the trunk

man, it's in the trunk.

Well, in a common,

ordinary, brown paper sack.

C'mon DuDirty, you're

going for a ride.

C'mon!

Get in, get in!

Not bad, huh?

Yeah.

Does he had a family or wife?

Relative?

A wife and two kids.

I'll take care of him.

OK?

Girl, get a hold of

Jimmy Rush for me.

-Yes, sir.

-Where's Serene?

I don't know, she was

just here a minute ago.

Sneaky bitch.

Listen Sweetman, I've got

something for you to do.

So, the police chief here

may be right about the risks

involved, and they're

all out of tack.

Now this is 1956, and you

just can't count on what--

Chief Dearlove, who is Pasha,

and what do you know about him?

Edwin Austin is his real name.

He calls himself Hakim Jabar.

Everybody on the south

and the west side

know him as Pasha, or The Pasha.

Now what the hell

kind of name is that?

It's a nigger name.

Have you seen him?

No.

But you know where he is?

Not precisely, no.

But approximately, yes.

How can be sure

that even exists?

How do you know

the numbers exist?

The whole policy lack it?

These people are really

clever about concealment,

betting slips, and money.

Hello, Mr. Conwell.

Billy Jones.

You're interested in chips boy?

They look so good, you

hold them so tight,

I know they've just

got to be good.

You'll have to

take my word for it.

The amount of money generated

in the betting game is enormous.

Let me have my

undercover man explain

this numbers business to you.

Wiley, would you step

in here a minute please?

Gentlemen, this

is Officer Wiley.

Officer Wile, explain

to the gentlemen

the numbers business please.

All right, Major Delaney,

councilman, our investigation

shows that Mr. Pasha

controls the numbers

operation in this city.

He has established pickup

stations four his runners,

and we have found out

that he runs his operation

very successfully.

He controls pick

up, pimps, houses

of prostitutes, politicians--

[music playing]

Hey, I want to talk to you.

Whatcha doing?

What?

Hey man, what you doing?

I'm headed in the barber shop.

Soon as you get your piece over.

You working for the man.

Are you kidding yourself?

I live here, man.

My name's Sweetman,

I've been here 30 years.

I work for Pasha, son.

Funny people Didn't I see you at

the [inaudible] the other day?

Yeah, you.

And I nice little

blonde under your wing.

What are you fighting

the man with?

Pillowcases and sheets?

Hey, Sweetman.

You early today, ain't you?

Pasha's running

my black ass off.

[laughter]

How come the Pasha's

got you hustling so hard?

Trouble, Brother Winston.

Trouble.

You mean like in white

folks middle name?

Not many home folks

that said aggravation.

I heard some of them Italian

businessmen been robbing

the pick up men bad lately.

Shit.

That's nothing new.

They've always been robbin'.

A piece of known

Italian if nothing else.

Some jive cops that bug me.

The man don't mess with you?

Who?

What's the matter with you, man?

Ain't you registered to vote?

This is an election year.

Every four years downtown

looks up and sees black.

Taxes so high now, it

doesn't pay to pay.

Catch you later.

321, Ford.

I'm going to catch you.

You just can't keep your

mind off the fancies,

can you, Brother Winston?

321's going to screw

into the ground.

Let me play your number.

Make your number

in today, I know

what it is, don't even tell me.

You really do?

You know I do.

Hey, I gotta get by to

see you sooner or later,

but it's just a busy way.

Don't leave, Sweetman.

Hey baby, you know how it is.

The number game is now.

And I'll catch you later.

I want to come by.

We'll be there, my numbers.

Billy, someday we'll

move away from here.

Far away from here.

I want to be a football

player and make lots of money,

and buy a bit mansion.

Billy, I'll probably take

care of you all of your life.

I'll be a millionaire before

you get out of the sixth grade.

I got this job with The Pasha.

PASHA: Good evening, Willie.

WILLIE: Good evening, Mr. Jabar.

PASHA: How's that

new baby of yours?

WILLIE: Toya and her

mother are both great.

PASHA: That's good,

take care of them.

WILLIE: OK

PASHA: Tell me, did you

do what I told you to do?

WILLIE: I said I did.

PASHA: Everything?

WILLIE: Everything.

PASHA: Just in time, too.

You know they blew

my man James Turner

away today, just

when I was hassling

with DuDirty over a hit.

A big one?

A youngblood named Nathan Jones

is ready to eat DuDirty alive.

I was ready to let him.

But that was before I got

the news about Turner.

I figured I better cut

down on inside friction,

because we've going to

need everybody we've got.

Everybody.

Nathan's going to

be with us, too.

Look here.

Did he pay him?

DuDirty paid him.

But I want you to train him.

How much time have I got?

None.

Just take him around with you.

Is he good?

Yeah, he's good.

I've had my eye on him

for quite a while now.

Serene call you today?

That bitch don't mean

nothing but trouble.

Anybody that loves

blood that much.

You oughta let me

do whatever she's

supposed to be taking care of.

I don't make as much mess.

Serene's a lovely number,

will be fine for some time.

But over the long haul, I want

you right here, close to me,

understand?

You know, white girls

would be just fine,

if they had a

little more behind.

Just a different thing.

Be careful with

me, I love hips.

With them, it's strictly

what's up front that counts.

Jimmy, I think I'd better

go by silent partners

and see before we

go to the meeting.

Tell Willie that I need

to keep the motor running.

As soon as I'm dressed,

we'll go by Moma Lottie's.

Good evening, Mr. Jabar.

Good evening, Mr. [inaudible].

How are you this evening?

Fine, yourself?

Good, good.

Did your son-in-law get his

business straightened out?

Yes, thanks to your help.

That young lawyer of yours

is a fine young mane.

Yes, very intelligent.

You told my wife,

my daughter, and me,

to hope for a

suspended sentence,

but he wanted that

Jojo to quit it.

And he said there'd

be no more record.

Very resourceful young man.

He understands the white

folks, that's what it is.

He's been to their

schools, he know

how to speak their language.

There's a rumor that you're

going to sell this building

back to the white.

No, I don't take that.

That all right?

Babcakes has got McDonald's

son-in-law acquitted today.

The old man's elated because

it's lighter on his pocketbook.

Good evening.

It is, now that I know

that Jojo's out and OK.

McDonald told you, huh?

How could my son have married

that old prune's daughter?

I'll never understand.

What's that I smell?

You tell me first, you

know what smell good?

Don't look at me

like that, honey.

Before you'll know it,

I'll be done stuck you

and put you in the

pot with the greens.

Where's my man?

Taking a bath, I guess.

I heard the water

running a while back.

[humming]

Hakim Jabar.

Well, if I hadn't been married

to you for the last five years,

I guess I wouldn't

recognize you.

Where you been?

Whatcha been doing?

You haven't been doing nothing

to me, that's for sure.

You left out of here in

your car Tuesday morning,

and it's now 8 o'clock

Wednesday night.

You didn't even call.

I could have been into

anything in that time.

Anything!

Oh yeah?

Now listen, baby.

You just get into

anything you want to.

Absolutely anything that makes

your little heart happy, OK?

You must think I'm crazy.

[music playing]

Why don't you lay

another helping

of them chitlins on me, Mama?

I was just going to do that.

What time is it?

8:30.

Let's go.

Hey, who we got here?

No thanks, honey.

I'm just waiting for the pipe.

Just the pipe.

Hops is doing more good

now than young girls.

OK, Pops.

But maybe some night when

you're smoking your dope,

you ought to let

me-- Momma Lottie?

Look up lightening for me

and the three wise men.

I want to play that

number tomorrow.

Don't let me forget, now.

No, I won't.

Aren't your afraid

of being seen?

Being seen?

Come on, man I do what I do.

Anyway, most of my friends

and all of my notaries

know that I come here.

So why should I sneak around

and try to hide my relationship

with Momma Lottie?

Besides, I want to

go by unnoticed,

I just make myself invisible.

That's the most words I ever

heard you put together, Jim.

You old bat.

Smoke some opium,

raise your head.

On you?

Kiss my feet.

Gee, baby.

You came on me so quick.

I really didn't know it was you.

Come here.

How much time we got?

Enough.

You look bad.

I'm in trouble.

Need some help from me?

That's why I'm here.

You won't let me

love you anymore.

You got anything to eat?

I'm hungry.

Hungry?

You?

What kind of trouble you got?

I'll get to that.

Will you give me

something to eat?

Raphael?

Here.

Raphael.

He'll come cook

you some hot stuff.

Fiery stuff, make you struggle.

You like that tea I make you?

Let me tell you my

other troubles first.

I heard from Police Chief

Harvery Dearlove the other day.

One of my best

customers, usually.

But lately, he ain't been

coming around as much.

He's scared, Momma.

That pig, afraid?

Harvey's a wolf.

Precisely a whole pack of them.

But the one with the biggest

mouth is Antonio Ferrero.

Tony?

You have got nothing

to worry about.

Number's not his business.

He sells dope, heroin, you know.

Anyway, we got an agreement,

Tony and me for operating

this little opiate concession.

No take out, no delivery,

strictly cash, and snort.

He don't bother me.

He's checked this

resources and he

knows that the money

running through out hands

is nice change.

Half the population

may take dope.

But all of the

population plays numbers.

Sometimes.

Tony's not is the only one

that hates me for that.

The damn mayor sheds a

tear every time I drive

by City Hall in a Cadillac.

Niggers are supposed to be

walking jack, or at least

driving his own self.

He's been waiting a

long time for somebody

to give them a reason and

some help to nail my carcass.

Maybe we better give

it all up, at least

until after this election.

I thought of that.

I've got friends down in Mexico.

But you know me.

Sitting around on my

butt is not my thing.

I've got to be right out

there in the middle of it.

Of course, later it should

become necessary for me

to leave the country.

I want to depend upon you

making all the arrangements.

We'll move so fast, no one

will be able to figure us out.

I have a question.

The police chief has

been in our profits.

So has the mayor,

for four years.

Now they want to get greedy.

Why now?

This is the question.

I sure wish I knew what

Tony's promised them.

I think this is his office.

I think the one supposed

to be in the back.

Where's the can?

Here it is.

Try the switch.

Damn thing's dead.

Use your light.

All right.

Let's move.

[knocking]

PROSTITUTE: Come in.

Jimmy.

C'mon, man, let's go.

Cheeta, ain't you

working tonight?

PROSTITUTE: No, I'm not.

This is the only

place it can be.

Must be a fake wall.

Yeah, just as I thought,

there's a room back there.

Willie, drop me off

somewhere close to the office.

But not so that we'll be seen.

What about in front

of Baptist Church?

Do it.

Man, look what Charley's found.

C'mon, there's an easier way.

Aw, shit.

You mean we did all

this work for nothing?

Where is everything?

Very simple.

The mayor wants to

get reelected, right?

The only way he can is to give

the people a scapegoat, right?

The Chief's the only one

that can organize a raid.

So we pull a couple

of phony raids.

I guarantee, within the next two

weeks, we'll arrest somebody,

but it ain't going

to be The Pasha.

You run on inside, give

some of the guys help.

Stay in the car, Willie.

After it's unloaded, turn around

and get ready to split, OK?

Whatever it is going on

over there, it ain't robbery.

Ed, those guys could

be up to anything.

That's right.

And if you're out here

busting your balls

trying to make police sergeant,

just remember one thing.

You don't see no police

sergeant out wandering around

in no dark alleys in no

nigger neighborhood trying

to find out what's going on.

And it don't matter what.

What we carrying, Pasha's wife?

He's got you

doing all the work.

Whatever it is, it's heavy.

Damn.

What'd you do

man, break a nail?

No, I laid a egg.

Hey, I ain't going

out there again.

Is there anymore?

That's it, we got it all.

It's about time.

What you mean, our operation?

Listen, Brother Jabar.

You had a good thing going here.

Small time business for

some people, but good enough

to keep you in a Cadillac,

fine wines, and drinking

cutty, and nice women, too.

But don't be trying

to put our Chevy

drivers out in

the street for you

when your ass is

on the firing line.

This ain't no we shit.

This is you.

Man, don't you know

the white folks

are trying to get rid of you?

They want to take over the

number business themselves,

it's as simple as that.

And I'm ready to do

business with them.

Don't make no difference

to me who the banker is.

I ain't got but a

nickel invested no how.

A nickel of something is

better than a nickel of nothing.

Dad blame it, that's why

my shorts are so high.

That cop's investigating.

You remember that

when you have you

first disagreement with Tony.

Jesus Christ.

What are you wearing

that big mamalama for?

Well, when I call

this meeting, I

figured I might have to

kill me a couple of niggers

to keep everybody in line.

It's better if everybody's

more afraid of me

than they are the man.

My name ain't Jesus.

The name don't have to be--

Was your name Jesus when he got

you out of jail 50,000 times?

That don't make no difference.

That makes a lot of difference.

I ain't dying for nobody.

Don't punk out man.

It's time to stick together now.

Let me tell you something.

When the going gets

tough, Pasha's going

to pay for the baby's shoes.

Pasha?

Raphael?

Where you staying at?

Good to see you.

They raided your

real estate place,

but I see you got

away balls clean.

You got to give Jimmy

Rush credit for that.

He'll probably have that

big bodyguard with him.

He's a tough customer.

Don't worry.

I'll give them both

barrels at once.

We'll be gone before

that bodyguard

gets up off the ground.

If you miss, it's you life.

How can I miss?

Pasha.

What are we going to

do with your equipment?

We can't run the

operation from here.

Not now.

We just can't do it.

What's in the box?

Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry.

I forgot about the boxes.

It's not my equipment.

It's mainly guns and ammunition.

All kinds of weapons.

Jesus Christ.

Small guns, handguns.

Pasha, what are we going to

do with all of these things?

You make your own

decisions about that.

I brought these

things here for you.

Do what you want to do.

We've been talking all

night about how we're

going to protect ourselves.

I expect you top piss

or get off the pot.

If you want to throw them

out in the garbage cans,

go right ahead.

But I'd advise you to

distribute, or get rid of them

as quickly as possible.

Because you may be raided as

early as tomorrow morning.

Then again, maybe not.

Niggers.

I love niggers.

But they make me tired.

Well, I don't like all

this talk about war either.

Most of our people

ain't killers.

Conwell with a gun?

Besides, we don't

have to go to war.

We can outrun them.

You said you're sure there's

a contract down on you?

Well I do know what

I'm doing, Pasha.

They'll have to get

by me to get to you.

Your loyalty

overwhelms me, man.

I'm going home.

Catch you later.

How long you think that

nigger's going to be?

Well, don't worry.

I don't think he's in

any hurry to get it.

There he is.

Hey Mrs. Jones, give me a

dime for a cup of coffee.

Don't bug me this morning,

Peewee, I ain't got not dime.

I know you made some money.

You don't drink

no coffee, no how.

Hey baby, you were

clean last night,

down to your natural toes.

You know how I go, trying to

make it, trying to make it.

Where did you get that

fine red bone, baby?

She gave it to me.

How'd she get by me?

You've been x'd.

Next, man.

For a second I see you still

stuck with that 219 babe.

I hope for god's sake,

because you're killing me.

Hey man.

Hey, brother, what it is?

You played a number last

week, and they didn't pay.

Now you want to play

in my book, right?

I like playing.

OK, what's your number, man?

123.

I tried to get your order

last week at the jive.

But I had it.

Cool.

You owe me a dollar and

a half come Saturday.

I'll pay you.

And stop jiving.

All right.

Everything cool.

Mr. Sweetman?

Hey, Mr. Sweetman!

Mr. Sweetman!

Wow, hey, my man,

what's happening?

You coming to get some

money today, Mr. Sweetman?

No, you're rap's too weak.

You got them in yesterday?

Listen here Little Billy,

stop spending all your time

on the corner, will you?

Go on home, your mom

might be looking for you.

Mr. Sweetman give me a quarter.

That's a quarter?

Sure is, let's go

buy some potato chips.

Pasha, I only called to

give you bad news today.

Go ahead.

I'm going to raid

you a few times, raid

some of your places, that is.

It's the mayor.

Election time again, you know.

So I'm going to play lamb

for the wolves again, huh?

Well if I can't make a

good enough show for him,

he's talking about putting

together a special squad

of handpicked officers

and calling a distress,

responsible only to him.

They'll pick up

where we leave off.

So what does that leave for me?

I'm sorry, Pasha, but

he's giving me a deadline.

Now if you'll just give

me two or three arrests,

maybe the whole

thing will blow over.

Do what you have to do.

Y'all know you're going to

get busted in a few minutes.

Jesus Christ!

I'm going to need some help.

Everybody out the back way now,

and take something with you.

Don't be trying

to put me in it.

I'm just shooting

a game of pool.

If I wanted to work,

I'd be on my job,

at least those folks pay me.

OK, Come on guys,

let's get out of here.

Just one way out, fellas.

Haul ass and stay free.

Pick up something and

take it all out with you.

Jimmy, [inaudible].

You take the car and Serene.

I'll take Joe's car.

Three, Jeremy 12.

Three Jeremy 12.

Three Jeremy 12, go.

[sirens]

Three Jeremy, 12.

We've lost them.

He went around a building

down by the tracks

and just disappeared.

Where are they?

They stepped out for a minute.

Fuck you, gorilla.

Don't play stupid with me.

I asked you a question.

Where are they?

Like I said before,

the proprietors

stepped out for a

minute, and he left

me here to take care of things.

I don't know nothing

about any gambling.

Why you!

You can run nigger,

but you can't hide!

You've got to spring him before

they have a chance to kill him.

Pasha.

When are you going to get

some respect for my thing?

This thing, the law?

It's what you pay me for.

I'm telling you, I can

get him out of jail,

they're not going to kill him.

They wouldn't do that anyway.

This is 1956.

Just get Jimmy Rush

our of the can, Sam.

And don't give it an hour.

Sam Kingston to see Mr. Common.

Yes sir.

Is he expecting you?

Go right in.

I have some papers

for you to see.

Sam Kingston,

you're the attorney?

Yes, I am.

Just a minute.

James Alfonzo Rush?

Do you know when

the operation is?

Pasha said we need

to call Conway,

if that answers your question.

I just had a couple of your

daddy's old nasty coffee.

Honey, get me a little thing

of that [inaudible] there.

This what you

wanted, Ms. Green?

That's it.

What's you dream

last night, Mattie?

Oh, don't ask me.

Don't ask me.

That's getting into

my private business.

Ever since my old

husband died, lord, lord.

Seem like I don't dream about

nothing but some young men.

Well you must play this

same number every day then.

It come out yet?

No.

But when it do, I'm

going to stop dreaming,

and get myself a

young, strong man.

And give him anything he want.

She ain't got a natural

hair on her head.

I know it for a fact.

She ain't going to sit

in the church with that.

Can't you hear

that phone ringing?

You don't want to go to

school, the least you can do

is help out around here.

Lazy heifer.

Conwell's.

Following Nathan Jones?

OK.

Are you following

me, Little Billy?

Shut up, Nathan.

Mama sent me to the store.

Nathan Jones, you've got

to get rid of your pick up.

There are lookouts that said

the cops are following you.

Give me a bag, a big bag.

Grab some groceries,

Little Billy.

Tell Mama I'll be home

later to take her to work.

OK.

Try not to panic, Sweetman.

I'm here through all troubles.

They stand up to

here on my, you know.

But out number's not up yet.

Not by a long shot.

True my man has been

able to make a few bucks.

What are you going to

do, Pasha? [inaudible]

Listen, Sweetman.

I don't tell

everybody my business.

But I want you to understand,

bail ain't that high yet.

See, you district's not

the only one with my back.

Regardless of the hassle,

the man ain't arrested nobody

who had picked up any money.

A few slips, yeah.

A little change, yeah.

But no money.

You see, $100,000

runs through my steel

safe each and every day.

Tony had made a fuck

up, not withstanding.

Well, that's a lot

of [inaudible].

Understand?

So we've got to move again.

We've got to move, that's all.

But we're running

out of places,

except on this side of town.

With election so close,

they're ready to do

a door to door search.

Tell them we'll just have

to say out of folks' houses.

Where's your car?

Down the street.

But the cops know it.

So it's Tony's boys.

There's another

one from someplace,

and meet me in front of

Axel's church in an hour.

Reverend Axel's?

Hey, he's a fool, but--

Gentleman, I'm going to

have to cut out on you now.

Who the devil can that be?

Who knows you're here?

My wife.

Your wife?

Oh come on, I guess you left

the door open for her, too.

Who you calling a fool?

Shut up a minute.

That couldn't have been her.

[inaudible]

I thought that's what

that sounded like.

Axel.

Axel!

I hear you in there

wrestling with temptation.

Any other time, I

wouldn't trouble you.

But believe me, I've

got some very important

business to discuss with you.

That's The Pasha.

Woman, you crazy?

Open that door.

Wait a minute.

I didn't know you were

a religious woman, Pearl.

But I'm glad to see you've

taken the right path.

Reverend.

I'm here on a very

important mission.

Why to me?

Because you're a man of God.

Now is my hour of need.

You don't have to look

so funny at me, Pasha.

You know every man

has some weaknesses.

Exactly.

That's what I came here

to talk to you about.

Those people in

the community whose

weakness is playing numbers.

Pearl, your closeness

to the preacher

doesn't entitle you to

hear our conversation.

What?

Go down to the

basement and get dressed

in the women's bathroom.

Reverend Axel.

How do you spend your days?

What it is, baby?

321.

How much?

Both over 25.

All right, who do I see?

Who do I see for this money?

[inaudible]

Look here, man,

how about my money.

Same thing.

You've been good.

No, but I-- no,

I want my money.

Just do it, bro.

Is that, Ray.

Man, I want--

-All right, Ray.

-Listen.

-We both have to get out.

-Would you listen to me?

I want--

You won't get your

money, no matter what.

-The what you're talking about.

-You get no money.

-I want my money.

-You getting it.

I want it.

-We're gonna split it.

-I want it.

-We're gonna get our money.

-Listen to me.

I want my money.

You hear me?

OK.

You got it, bro.

-I'm gonna get it.

-You got it.

You got it.

You got it.

[screaming]

Little Billy, someday

we'll move away.

Far away from here.

Billy, I'll probably take

care of you all your life.

Get up Nathan, get up Nathan.

Get up!

Don't cry, Billy.

Don't cry.

Everything is going

to be all right, Billy.

Hey, hey, this is what it's

all about, take any part of it.

Take it all.

In the evenings,

though, is mainly

when it's busy around here.

And most mornings, the church's

just is just standing empty.

That's right.

Sweetman, what

are you doing here?

Hey, where's Pasha.

He's in the back

there with the pastor.

-Thanks.

-Hey, Sweetman--

Later, baby.

Well, what's going on?

Later.

I didn't come here to

explain my system to you.

I'm just came here to tell

you I'll use the church.

Pasha.

Sweetman.

You're early.

Couldn't wait, Pasha.

Couldn't wait.

What's this?

Nathan.

They got the kid Nathan.

Tony, that son of a bitch.

I thought he'd try to get me.

You gone?

He hides.

Where'd they leave Nathan?

Home.

Who found him?

His mother?

For Christ's sake,

man, speak up!

Who found him?

His-- his brother.

Little Billy.

The two dudes who did

it have been located.

Moma Lottie's got the stuff made

up that I want to use on them.

All you've got to do,

Serene, is get to them,

and enjoy yourself.

Say, babygirl, what's

taking you so long in there?

You first.

All right.

Hello, Cappy.

I want to see Tony.

Tell him-- Tell him I've

come to make a deal with him.

Who is it?

Pasha.

Alone?

Yes.

Send that nigger on in here.

What is it you want?

To keep our

business between us.

That's the way I wanted

it from the beginning.

I was too arrogant.

That's always been my only

fault. Can you dig it?

Let me fix you a

drink, what do you have?

Scotch on the rocks.

Good.

You look terrible.

Too bad about that kid.

I warned you.

I hoping he wasn't

one of your boys.

Seems like you've been

producing kids ever

since you was one yourself.

You and me came up

together, just like that.

I always loved broads.

Tall, short, fat,

skinny, white, black.

Sweet flesh.

I still do Hakim, how about you?

What are we going to do to

settle this mess anyway?

The Chicago bosses are

tired of waiting, I'm tired,

you're tired,

what's the solution?

I thought perhaps you

might have some ideas.

You Italians were always

better at that kind of thinking

than us old colored folks.

You're too much.

You know, if you knew what

I was thinking right now,

I've hated you for a

long, long time, Hakim.

And right now, at

this moment, I've

got you right here in my hand.

I could kill you, you know that.

But I want to see

you do it yourself.

I want to see you make

a slip somewhere bad.

Just want to catch you

with shit on your face.

Your only chance is going to

be right here and now, Tony.

I still got your gun, Hakim.

Yeah, the one you got

from me in your restaurant.

You've always been a

man of honor, Hakim.

Something I never could

stand in a nigger.

Now I want to see that honor

put you right in your grave.

Are you willing to pay the

price to see me in mine?

Man, oh man.

There's a game.

It's not Italian, it's Russian.

It's a kind of roulette,

a special roulette,

where you play with life.

You see?

You drop a bullet in

the barrel like that.

Then you revolve it.

You put it to your

head, and press.

You do it, Hakim.

You do it.

Just in case you

think I tricked you.

You take the first turn.

Put the gun to you head and

pull the trigger, if you can.

You remember when we were kids?

It was always you that wasn't

afraid, and I always panicked.

God almighty, how you

used to torture me.

Do it, damn it!

Do it!

You're a creep, Tony.

You never have known

how to play fair.

What difference does it make?

A little less noise

and your gimp leg goon

will be in here a hand

grenade or something?

No, no, this place is

completely soundproof.

Nobody will come unless I call

them, and I won't, I swear.

I'm going straight

down to the wire.

Luck is with me tonight,

you ugly son of a bitch.

It's got to be.

It ain't worth it unless

I can whip you just once.

But you're afraid to give me

the satisfaction, aren't you?

You're afraid to put

that gun up to your head.

Take it.

Niggers always want

to go to heaven,

but they don't want to die.

If you weren't so arrogant,

it couldn't been OK.

But you had to have

the biggest gun going.

Now somebody's brains are going

to spill all over my carpet.

You're right, I never

have played fair.

I had the pin file

down, I didn't

want your stinking blood spilled

all over my good self anyway.

I just wanted to see you sweat.

Now that the

ceremonies are all done,

both our ancestors

will be satisfied.

Pasha!

Pasha.

Sit down, shut up and get out.

Hakim.

Hakim?

What happened?

How'd you get here?

Anybody follow you?

Nobody followed me.

I hear music.

Well, you said you

wanted a party tonight.

You got one.

Yeah, we can celebrate now.

I did Tony in tonight, and

his bodyguards kept him.

Oh well, you can't

stay here then.

You'll get Momma

Lottie in bit trouble.

My business is all straight.

I'll be gone before morning.

There's a whole new change

of clothes for you upstairs.

You stay here, I'll

go get them for you.

By the way, Serene is

the room down the hall.

OK.

Hey, are we going to hit Pasha?

Nah.

The contract will

take care of that.

All we got to worry

about is that Serene.

That flashy broad ain't

going be hard to spot.

Come in.

It's getting hot.

I think we better

cool it for awhile.

I know how to contact

you if I need you.

Here's your best.

It's all in small bills.

Thanks, hun.

Take care of yourself.

Did you get Romaine and

the kids squared away?

They're halfway to Mexico

City by now, stop worrying.

Raphael's brother will

fly us out before dawn.

I got the tickets.

Willie, take care

of the Cadillac?

The Cadillac can do a lot of

things, but it sure can't swim.

Can I put that baby on

the bottom of the river?

Chief Dearlove will

spend a lot of time

working out that problem.

Do you want to smoke a pipe?

It's not opium.

It won't make you nod,

it'll make you see clearly.

What is it?

It's not reefer.

It's special-- a special plant

that come out of the ground

around my old home place.

That's suppose to

make me strong too?

It'll make you

remember who you are.

Let's try it then.

We've been here three

hours, wonder when

that broad's going to show?

Here comes somebody now.

That ain't Serene.

Tony said get Serene.

So we wait until she shows.

Cool it, he's coming over.

How about a light

for a cigar, buddy?

[laughter]

I know who the rat is, and

I'm having him taken care of.

MAN [OVER PHONE]: Hello

Is Tony there?

MAN [OVER PHONE]:

That you, Sweetman?

Yeah.

MAN [OVER PHONE]: Lay low.

Pasha's onto you.

He got Tony and Cappy tonight.

My name's Sweetman,

I've been here 30 years.

What are you fighting

the man with?

Pillowcases and sheets?

Remember what I said, one

of your people works for me.

I know who to take care

of to get rid of that.

I don't think you do.

Hello, Mr. Sweetman.

One of those main

runners is Sweetman.

Sweetman, Sweetman.

[laughter]

Tony's not the one

I want you to kill.

There's some things that

Pasha must do for himself.

I know who the rat is.

You don't know where

the operation is?

[laughter]

[gunshots]

Good bye, Mr. Sweetman.